How do I save a dying ficus tree and make sure it then grows successfully?

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   Kelly Eatonposted 10 years ago

   How do I save a dying ficus tree and make sure it then grows successfully?
   
   How to get the best chance for a ficus to survive when all the leaves have fallen off but it is still alive? How to best prune it to facilitate growth? What is the best balance of nutrients in a fertilizer, i.e., nitrogen,  phosphorus,  etc.?

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2. 0

   Grey Templesposted 10 years ago

   Ficus trees are touchy and since I don't know what facilitated it to loose it's leaves I'll let you know how to take care of a healthy one.  They do not like to be moved around and they either like direct like or indirect light depending on how you purchased it.  Water it when it dries out only.  I always watered mine with Miracle Grow and it would go crazy in it's growth.  I would prune off all of the dead branches in order to shape the ficus the way I wanted it to grow. 
   
   If at this point it has lost all of it's leaves more than likely it has been over watered and it will not recover.  You can try to prune off all of the smaller twigs or branches and see if it starts to sprout once again and only water it if the roots have completely dried out.  Use Miracle Grow and follow the instructions on the mixture of Miracle Grow and water and best of luck.

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      Kelly Eatonposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      Many thanks for your help!  I kind of thought it could be a lost cause but I can't help but want to try. They are beautiful when in their best health. I inherited the tree in its present state and I haven't been successful with them in past attempts.

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   2. 0

      Grey Templesposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I do think it is a gonner Kelly.  I love these trees myself and they can be very picky.  I think I would just get another one.

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